They do make dog harnesses that open at the neck as well as around the chest, right? Because I think I’m going to need one of those and I don’t know which ones are good or even where to find them. But I’m not really getting anywhere with training for a regular harness.
(Merlin’s not actually a dog, but the Expert Opinion I spoke to said that dog harnesses tend to be better quality than cat harnesses).
I don’t think this is allowed as it’s not the Marketplace, but I sell a very good harness that you might like. (My shop sells safety products for dogs, including a couple of harnesses.) PM me for details, no obligation to buy if you don’t like it.
They do make dog harnesses that have fasteners on neck and chest. I used to use one for our Maine Coon because he was too big for a cat harness. I got his at PetCo, but don’t remember anything else about it but it was red.
He didn’t need the harness strength as much as the size because once he got used to it he never pulled or fought. The one I bought was probably heavier and thicker than needed but I didn’t replace it because why fix something that wasn’t broken?
You do know to always carry cats outside for a leash walk, right? Don’t let them walk out the door by themselves, always pick them up and carry them out. It helps to stop them from thinking they can just stroll out the door anytime its open. Also let them walk inside when they are done with the walk, which helps them know they can come inside anytime they want just in case they do end up on the wrong side of the door.
Thanks for the tip! (though he already does think he can stroll outside the door anytime it’s open, which is part of why I’m trying to harness train him in the first place).
We use hug-a-dog harnesses for our dogs. They were originally called hug-a-dox, as they were designed for dachshunds. They have velcro fastening at the neck and chest, and you can have custom measurements used as well. They’re not cheap, but we’ve been really happy with them.
Thank you, but I specifically need something secure that can’t be slipped or wriggled out of, so it has to be buckles or… I dunno, what else do they make harness clips out of? Hooks?
The velcro fastens securely. I’ve never had one of our dogs either wriggle out or undo the fastenings. The neck fastening does also have a clip, but the it is a wide swatch of velcro, and I can barely pull it apart when the velcro attaches to itself. It’s just as secure as a buckle, maybe more so.
A little more cat walking advice if you want it. If not, feel free to ignore this.
Start by showing kitty the harness. Leave it on the floor. Put it in his bed. Let him come to terms with it before putting it on kitty. Be aware that as soon as you put that ounce and a half of plastic and cloth on kitty, it will instantly weigh at least 50 lbs or more. Take picture of kitty "glued’ to the floor for everyone’s entertainment.
This is when you will want to try to pull the harness off over his head. If you can do that, tighten it up, that’s the weak point. Once the head is free, you’ve lost all control. Its best to do that part inside.
Once kitty has gained enough strength to stand on his own, show him the leash. Leave it on the floor. Put it in his bed, etc. so he knows its not a real snake which will be biting his back when you clip it on. Take pics of the battle.
Once kitty can stand on his own and stagger around with the leash, pick kitty up and carry him a few steps outside. Leave the door open and put him down. If he runs inside, that’s great. Praise him and take the harness off. Kitty only gets dressed when going for a walkie.
It didn’t take long before our walks were an expected part of our evening and our kitty would sit by the door and grumble until I got his harness.